From Inside the Hive

In this joyful and thought-provoking episode of From Inside the Hive, I speak to Penny Tassell — a self-confessed people-person, operations manager in the world of wealth management, and all-round ray of sunshine.

Together, we explore the power of real conversation (no screens, no filters), why understanding your finances is for everyone, and how life’s curveballs can sometimes guide us back to where we truly belong.

From laughter about Penny’s potential burlesque alter ego (yes, really!) to practical discussions on financial confidence, this episode is a warm and honest reminder that it’s never too late to learn, pivot, or take control of your money and your life.

Whether you’ve been avoiding your bank statements or already have a spreadsheet for everything, this episode is your invitation to look at your finances with curiosity, not fear. Knowledge is power — and as Penny reminds us, the first step is simply starting the conversation.

Follow Penny on Instagram: @3.steps.ahead or LinkedIn to find out more about her work.

For more on National Will Month - https://freewillsmonth.org.uk

To check your State Pension Forecast - https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Loved this episode? Share your reflections over on Instagram @Quiet_the_Hive or drop Jane a message.

And if you want to start saying yes to yourself (and no to guilt), subscribe to From Inside the Hive wherever you listen to podcasts.

PS - There is a tiny f-bomb in the middle (my fault!) so you might want headphones if you're listening to this near Littles or in the office!

Saying no can feel rude, even selfish, but what if it’s actually one of the best things you can do for yourself and others?

In this episode, I'm exploring how to move from guilt to grounded confidence when it comes to setting boundaries, and why every “no” you say creates space for a more meaningful “yes.”

Perfect timing as we get ready for The Secret Society of Women Who Say No on 22nd October — your chance to practice this in real time.

🙌 Book Your Place on The Secret Society of Women Who Say No

🎧 Listen to Finding Calm Advice From Friends (the one with Gareth Dauncey)

💎 See the (rude word!) necklace

👉 To find out more about Awaken Your Life, head to quietthehive.com/courses/awl

✨ Connect with me on Instagram @quiet_the_hive

What if joy wasn’t something you had to earn or delay until the next holiday? This episode is all about building a life that includes you — your joy, your peace, your needs — every day. Not just on weekends. Not just when everyone else is sorted. Starting now.

Perfect for women ready to stop waiting and start creating a life they love.

This is exactly what we do in Awakening Women’s Lives. Find out more here:
https://quietthehive.com/courses/awl

Want to say hi? I’m always up for a natter over on Instagram:
@quiet_the_hive

If you've enjoyed having this mini coaching series, why not sign up to The Coaching Café - weekly coaching chats, tools and tips straight to your inbox.

I'd love to hear about your experience of listening to this Awaken Your Life Mini Series - do get in touch and let me know what shifted for you. [email protected]

Kat Nicholls is the Brand and Integrity Manager at Happiful, podcast host and a Beat Eating Disorders volunteer.

Following on from her own mental health difficulties, Kat has dedicated her career to helping people find the support they need to feel more content. 

I was thrilled to sit down with Kat and chat through all things Job Joy, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Confidence. 

Books we mention:

Green Rising by Lauren James

Quiet by Susan Cain

Find Kat at:

Learn more about Happiful

Find a therapist

Subscribe to Kat's Substack

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn

Sign up for Awakening Women's Lives at https://quietthehive.com/courses/awl/

Trigger Warning: The conversation mentions eating disorders at several points. Find support at ⁠https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk⁠

Procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt — these aren’t signs of weakness, they’re signs of protection. In this episode, we explore what might really be behind the things holding you back, and how to start shifting them with self-compassion (not self-criticism).

Vital listening if you’re tired of being hard on yourself for not “doing the thing”.

Ready to explore what’s really possible for you? Discover Awakening Women’s Lives here:
https://quietthehive.com/courses/awl

Find me and join the conversation on Instagram:
@quiet_the_hive

Want more on Beating Procrastination? You might like this download - Beating Procrastination Worksheet

Ruth Dietrich knows how to get organised and she's keen you learn too! Ruth believes that by finding systems to get things done, you create time to focus on what really matters.

As an online business manager, Ruth has all sorts of tips and tools at her fingertips. She's even created a free tool to help you get started.

Here we talk the power of organisation, why (shhhh) Alexa can be a godsend, and how harnessing processes can be good for your business AND your life.

Get the free Ultimate Tool to creating headspace: ⁠https://pages.ruthdietrich.co.uk/ultimate-tool-to-be-ceo⁠

Find Ruth at:

Her website: www.ruthdietrich.co.uk

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-dietrich/ 

I asked Julia Roberts* what she would say to you if you think it’s too late to change, start again, or finally do the thing you’ve been dreaming about? 

She told me to tell you "Big mistake. HUGE."

(and if you get that reference, then you're my kind of (pretty) woman!) 

If you think it's too late for you, it's time to think again!

In this kick-ass episode of From Inside the Hive, I am banning the phrase “too late”, and talking about why midlife is the perfect time to begin again, on your own terms.

Don’t miss this one if you’ve been waiting for permission to start.

*I didn't really. But I'd put money on her approving!

To find out more about Awakening Women’s Lives, head to:
https://quietthehive.com/courses/awl

I’d love to hear from you — come and find me at:
@quiet_the_hive

Why not share your 'not too late' moments with me? Get in touch at [email protected] - I'd love to hear them

Emma Simpson is an author, cold water swimmer and tea drinker.

Her first book, Breaking Waves, is an exploration into the primal powers of femininity and water. It includes stories gathered from around the world that demonstrate the power of connection and humanity.

I devoured this brilliant book with it's deeply human connection with water, other people and ones self.

Here, Emma and I talk about the power of connection, the need to write and the way a naked swim just feels that much better!

Find Emma at:

Substack - for her writings - https://emmasimpsonauthor.substack.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmasimpsonauthor/

Buy the book (please do!):

https://www.iconbooks.com/ib-title/breaking-waves/

Emma is on tour in 2025 - catch her here:

• 17th July - Gilded Acorn Bookshop in London
• 20th July - Swanage Wild Swimming Festival
• 16th September - Appledore Book Festival
• 07 October - Creative Light Festival, Isle of Harris
• 11 October - Creative Writing and Loch Swimming Day Retreat, Loch Insh, Cairngorms
• 06 November - Bridport Literary Festival
• 08 November - Swanage Literary Festival

There might be the odd swear word in this one, so you might like to use headphones if there are littles about or you're the office!

Feeling a bit like you want your cake, and you want to eat it too? What if wanting more didn’t make you ungrateful, just human? 

In this episode, we explore that damn guilt that kicks us in the butt when we allow ourselves to think about what we want, and how to move your mind from “Who am I to want this?” to “Why not me?”.

It’s time to honour what you want, unapologetically.

This is for you if you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting more out of life.

Because not only should you have the metaphorical cake, you deserve the cherry too! 

Curious about going deeper? Take a look at the Awakening Women’s Lives Programme:
https://quietthehive.com/courses/awl

Let’s connect on Instagram:
@quiet_the_hive

Read The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Why not share some of the things that feature on your list of things you want more of. I'd love to hear them.

Eva Lydon is the creator of Great Little Things - a fantastic roundup newsletter that shares all of the great, little things that have piqued her interest.

It's this generous offering to her audience that tells you a little about Eva. A writer, proofreader, designer, mother of two and avid people watcher, Eva is passionate about healthy parenting, healing and nurturing, using her own experiences from her childhood, her diagnosis of cancer and divorce as a way to appreciate the world and do things a little differently.

You can find Eva at greatlittlethings.substack.com

Eva mentions:

Donna Ashworth, poet

Goodbye year, Hello year - Selina Barker

Write Mentor - https://write-mentor.com

And if you're interested in reading my work, you can find that at https://smallliberations.substack.com

Find Eva at https://greatlittleinsights.substack.com/

There are a few expletives in this conversation, so you might want to listen with earphones or away from the Littles/ Office!